Properties: Bitter, cold, toxic
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Lung, Kidney, and Large Intestine
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Drains water downward and eliminates congested fluids and thin mucus
Severe accumulation of fluid in the chest and abdomen Generalized oedema, facial oedema and abdominal distention
- Expels Phlegm
Epilepsy due to Phlegm Blocking the Heart Orifices Seizures from Wind-Phlegm Withdrawal mania from recalcitrant Phlegm congealing and clumping
- Clears Heat, reduces swelling and disperses hardenings
Swollen, painful, nodular Damp-Heat skin lesions (topical-appropriate for early stages, with oral ingestion of herbs that clear Heat and resolve toxicity)
Suggested Daily Dosage: 0.5-1g in powder form. The active form does not dissolve in water so decoction should be avoided.
Cautions: It is contraindicated to the pregnant women and those anxious about their health. It is antagonistic to Gan Cao.
Appears in 7 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
Research Links & References: (click to display)
Research Links:
Reference Notes:
Individual herb information has sourced mainly from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes. Zhou, Xie and Yan (2011): Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Vol. 5, and A+ Medical Encyclopaedia have been used for entries not available from those sources with additional material searched for and filled in where available. Western herbs not appearing in the Chinese literature have used Ross (2010): Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine: A Clinical Materia Medica, White Rabbit Institute of Healing and therapeutika.ch. Choices of which source to use or combine have been my own.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted. Actions and indications are taken from traditional uses and do not necessarily reflect the evidence base which should be researched independently. Dosages are for guidance only and will vary dependening on the potency of the batch and the tolerance of the individual so should be evaluated by a professional based on individual needs.
